Sony's legal team is asserting that players understand digital game purchases are not equivalent to true ownership, a defense presented in a class-action lawsuit challenging the PlayStation Store's disclosures. The argument comes as Sony moves away from physical media, with plans to cease manufacturing game discs for new PlayStation titles by January 2028.
The lawsuit, filed by four customers in July, alleges that PlayStation Store disclosures are insufficient in informing consumers about the nature of digital ownership, failing to comply with a California law requiring clear notification that digital products may not be permanently accessible. While the PlayStation Store does provide links to its Terms of Service and Software Product Licensing Agreement, the specific language stating that "virtual content is licensed, not owned" is buried deep within these documents.
In a filing dated August 21, PlayStation's lawyers countered that "reasonable consumers would not be misled" by the current disclosures. They further argued that in the current digital landscape, it is implausible for consumers to believe they are acquiring outright ownership of digital games. The legal team cited the ability for multiple consumers to purchase the same digital title, such as Resident Evil Requiem, as evidence that ownership is not transferred in the traditional sense. "Were that the case, then Plaintiff Edward Heycock would not have been able to obtain the game Resident Evil Requiem on February 25, 2026 for $69.99 from the PlayStation Store after Plaintiff Jason Mendoza had obtained Resident Evil Requiem on 14th February, 2026, because Mr. Mendoza, not Sony, would have owned it then," the filing stated.